Mobile combination tool chest and workbench



Jan. 21, 1964 J. A. JORDAN MOBILE COMBINATION TOOL CHEST AND WORKBENCHFiled July 31, 1961 Ii i .7 b V.) x

INVENTOR. JOHNIE A. JORDAN ATTORNEY 3,118,685 MOBILE COIVBINATIDN TOOLCHEST AND WORKEENtIH .lohnie A. Jordan, 1391 1st St., Bakersfield,Calif. Filed July 31, 1961, Ser. No. 127,926 4 Claims. (Cl. 28047.19)

The present invention relates generally to the field of carpentryaccessories, and more particularly to a new and novel combination toolchest and work bench that can be moved from place to place as required.

As is well known, a carpenter requires a large number of individual handtools to properly perform the various types of work he will encounter ona job site. However, the carpenter cannot in most instances leave achest of tools on a job site overnight without running the hazards ofhaving the chest and tools stolen. As a result, a carpenter is forced tocarry his chest of tools from his automobile or truck onto the job sitein the morning, as well as away from the job when he is through workingfor the day. Upon occasion, the distance from the job site to his parkedautomobile may be quite considerable, whereby the carpenter has atendency to minimize the weight of his chest of tools to be carried, andwill normally carry only those tools he believes he will need during theday. Frequently, the type of work he believes he will be doing changesduring the day and he finds himself without certain tools that areeither highly desirable or necessary for use in properly performing thiswork. As is well known, an attempt to do a particular type ofcarpentering work without the necessary tools or with inadequate toolsnormally results in loss of time as well as the performance of inferiorwork.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a combinationtool chest and work bench that is suificiently compact as to enable oneto carry it in an automobile, can be disposed in either a horizontal ora tilted position to minimize the space occupied thereby, is of anexteremely simple structure, can be fabricated from standard,commercially available materials, and is inexpensive to produce wherebyit can be retailed at a sufficiently low price as to encourage itswidespread use.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a combination storagechest and bench that not only minimizes the physical effort required intransporting tools between a workmans automobile and a job site, butalso may be utilized on the job site as a portable and temporary workbench to facilitate the performance of work encountered, with the benchportion of the combination device being at a convenient height to permitwork to be readily carried out with ease and within a minimum of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a combination toolchest and Work bench in which certain delicate tools that can be easilydamaged unless properly handled, such as a saw, level, or carpenterssquare, are removably maintained within the confines of the tool chestand so positioned therein that they will not be damaged, even though thetool chest may be subjected to an abrupt shock or relatively heavy blow.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a combination workbench and tool chest having a second supporting or bench surface onwhich to temporarily rest hand tools, which bench surface is provided bythe cover of the chest when in a closed position.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, andfrom the accompanying drawing illustrating that form, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the combination tool chest andwork bench shown tilted forwardly to minimize the space it occupies;

Patented Jan. 21, 19642 FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the chestand bench with a portion thereof broken away to illustrate the interiorthereof;

FIGURE 3 is fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the inventiontaken on line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional View of the devicetaken on line 44 of FlGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of thecombination tool chest and work bench taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the cover of the invention with aportion thereof cut away to show the internal structure thereof.

Referring now to the drawing for the general arrangement of theinvention, it will be seen to include a rear end piece it} and aforwardly disposed end piece 12 which are connected by two identicalside walls 14. End piece 12, as may best be seen in FIGURE 2, issubstantially shorter than end piece 10.

A first horizontal sheet 16 is afiixed to the interior surfaces of theend pieces and side walls, as also shown in FIGURE 2, and is located asubstantial distance above a second horizontal sheet 18 that serves as ashelf and is also connected to the interior surfaces of the end piecesand side walls. The two side walls 14 have elongate, longitudinallyextending openings 26 of relatively large area formed therein which arein transverse alignment. The purpose of these openings 2b is to permiteasily insertion of tools within the confines of the end pieces 10 and12 and side walls 14 to rest on second sheet 18 when not in use.

The forward lower portion of the side walls 14 are preferably cut awayto define upwardly and forwardly inclined edges 22. A rectangular cover24 is provided which is illustrated in FIGURE 6. When it is lying in ahorizontal position and resting upon the upper surface of the end walls10 and 12 and side walls 14, cover 24 serves as a supporting surface fortools, or in other Words, provides a work bench. The structure of cover24 can, of course, be in any one of a variety of designs and made from achoice of materials, but in practice it has been found desirable tofabricate it from plywood, preferably thick, which is sufiiciently rigidto afford a firm working surface when the cover is being used for workbench purposes.

To further strengthen the cover 24, two side strips 26 are med to theunder side thereof. The ends of strips 26 are connected by cross pieces28 that are screwed or otherwise affixed to the under surface of thecover. Side strips 26 and cross pieces 28 are so oriented and afiixed tothe under surface of cover 24 that the outer edges of the side stripsand cross pieces are in vertical alignment with the vertical exteriorsurfaces of the end pieces Ill and 12 and side walls 14. In order that acarpenters clamp or vise may be affixed to the cover 24 when it isdisposed in a horizontal position to serve as a work bench, the cover isso made that portions 3a extend longitudinally beyond the cross pieces23. Two additional strips 32 are provided which abut against theexterior surfaces of the cross pieces 28 and are afixed to the end undersurface of cover 24 by screws 34, or other conventional fastening means.

From the standpoint of manufacturing economy, it is desirable that thedimensions of cover 24 be so selected that it can be cut from plywoodsections of a standard, commercially available size with suflicientmaterial being left from the plywood section to provide sufiicientmaterial from which to fabricate the side strips 26, cross pieces 28,and strips 32. A cover fabricated in this manner and as shown in FIGURE6, is not only sturdy and durable, will provide adequate protection forthe tools situated within the upper confines of the invention, but willpro- 3 vide a rigid surface that will adequately support material onwhich a carpenter is working, as well as a mounting for such tools asvises or the like that the carpenter may elect to use.

Two identical wheels 36 are provided which preferably include rubbertires 33 to minimize the effort required in rolling the invention acrossrough terrain such as is frequently found on a job site. Wheels 35 arelocated on the exterior of the invention adjacent the lower forwardportions of the side walls 14, as best shown in FIGURE 2. A transverselydisposed shaft 39 extends through openings (not shown) formed in theside Walls 14, with the wheels 36 being rotatably supported on theoutwardly projecting portions of the shaft. By the use of washers 4G andcotter pins 42, the wheels 36 are removably supported on the ends ofshaft 39.

The cover 24 (FIGURES 2 and is connected to the upper portions of one ofthe side walls 14 by hinges 44. The hinges 44 are connected by fasteningmeans 46, such as bolts, screws, or the like, to the cover 24 and sidewall 14, and these fastening means are preferably of such design thatthey cannot be loosened from the exterior of the chest to permit thecover 24 to be separated therefrom for unauthorized access to theinterior thereof and removal of tools therefrom.

A hasp is provided, one portion of which is affixed to a longitudinalside edge of cover 24, with another portion of the hasp being connectedto the exterior upper central portion of one of the side walls 14, asmay best be seen in FIGURE 1. The hasp 48 may be so disposed that it isheld in an interlocking position to maintain the cover 24 in a closedposition on the chest when a padlock or other locking means (not shown)is extended through the hasp.

A centrally disposed opening 50 is formed in the rear end wall 11 belowthe first sheet 16'. The first sheet 16, by a screw 52 or otherfastening means, supports an angular bracket 54 that has a horizontallydisposed, tubular body 56 extending rearwardly therefrom which is inalignment with the opening 50. The interior surface of the body 56 istapped and is adapted to be removably engaged by threads 53 formed onthe forward end portion of an elongate handle 69. Handle 60 preferablyincludes a relatively short straight section 62 on which the threads 58are formed. The rear of section 62 develops into an upwardly andrearwardly extending section 63, the upper end of which develops into ahand grip 64 that is grasped when the invention is being rolled fromplace to place. When the invention is located on a job site, or when itis being transported in an automobile where there is limited space, thehandle 6% can be removed from the tubular body 56, and either storedinside the chest or positioned alongside thereof until needed to moveand guide the invention to a desired location. For convenience in movingthe invention a short distance when the handle 60 is removed therefrom,a second handle 66 of the type used on ends of trunks, is provided whichis afiixed to the upper exterior surface of the end piece by screws 68,or the like. Two laterally spaced legs 69 extend downwardly from therear portion of second sheet 18. Legs 69 are of such height that thecover 24 is in a horizontal position when closed, and the device isdisposed as shown in FIG- URE 2. When in this horizontal position cover24 provides a workbench surface.

A tool commonly used by every carpenter is a level, and a level 79 ofconventional design is shown in FIG- URES 2 and 5. Two level supports 72are provided on the interior surface of one of the side wallsl as shown.Each of the level supports 72 includes'a member of Z- shaped crosssection having one leg 74 afiixed to the interior surface of one of theside walls 14-, a horizontally disposed web 76 that extends outwardlyfrom the upper end of leg 74, with the web in turn developing into asecond upwardly extending leg 78 on the outer end there- 4 of. Each ofthe webs 76 and legs 73 associated therewith extends through openingsformed in the level 7 9, whereby the level may be removabl'y supportedon the web 75 in the manner shown in FIGURE 5. Leg 7?) preventsinadvertent lateral movement of the level 79 relative to the side wall14. A carpenters square 80' (FIGURES 2 and 4) can be removably supportedparallel to one of the side walls 14 and in abutting contact with theinterior surface thereof by being slidably inserted within the up-.

per confines of a support 82 as shown. Support 82 includes one leg 84that is held in abutting contact with the interior surface of one of theside walls 14.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objectsand providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned it is to beunderstood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferredembodiment thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details ofconstruction herein shown and described, other than as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A portable combination tool chest and work bench, including: twolaterally spaced side walls having transversely aligned, elongateopenings formed in the lower portions thereof, said side walls eachhaving a straight upper edge, a rear edge, a lower edge shorter thansaid upper edge and parallel thereto, a forward edge shorter than saidrear edge and parallel thereto, and an upwardly and forwardly inclinededge that extends upwardly from the forward end of said lower edge toeffect a junction with the lower end of said forward edge; rear andforward end pieces that extend transversely between said side walls; afirst rigid sheet parallel to said upper edges and disposed within theconfines of said side walls and end pieces and affixed to the interiorsurfaces thereof above said openings, which first sheet, end pieces andside walls cooperatively define a tool chest; a second rigid sheetparallel to said first sheet and spaced below said openings, said secondsheet being situated within the confines of said side walls and rear endpiece afilxed to the interior surfaces thereof, which second sheetserves as a temporary support for tools when not in said chest; a rigidrectangular cover which is longer than said side walls and suflicientlywide to extend between the exterior surfaces of said side Walls whenresting on said upper edges thereof and the upper edges of said rear andforward end pieces, said cover having end portions that overhang saidrear and forward end pieces; hinge means pivotally connecting onelongitudinal edge of said cover to one of said side walls to permit saidcover to be pivoted into a position where access may be had to saidchest and for holding said cover in a fixed longitudinal and transverseposition relative to said side walls and end walls whereby said cover,side walls and end pieces cooperatively provide said work bench; meansfor locking said cover in a position to close said chest when said coverrests on said upper edges of said side walls and said end pieces; twolaterally separated wheels; means for rotatably supporting said Wheelsfrom said side walls adjacent said upwardly and forwardly inclined edgesthereof; handle means extending rearwardly from said rear end piece formoving said cover, side walls and end pieces as an integral unit on saidWheels to a desired location; and leg means extending down wardly fromthe rearward portion of said second sheet for disposing said cover in ahorizontal plane when said cover rests on said upper edges to permitsaid cover to be used for a work bench surface, which cover, side walls,end pieces and first and second sheets are capable of occupying upwardlyand rearwardly extending positions when said junctions contact the samesurface on which said Wheels rest.

2. A portable combination tool chest and work bench as defined in claim1 wherein an engageable member is affixed to said first sheet inlongitudinal alignment with an opening formed in said rear end piece,said handle means comprises an elongate rigid tube having an engagingmember on the forward end thereof, which engaging and engageable membersare capable of removably engaging when said tube is extended forwardlythrough said opening, with said tube being sufiiciently long as to havea portion thereof projecting rearwardly from said rear end piece whensaid engaging and engageable members are in engagement, and the lengthof said tube is such as to permit storage thereof in said chest when notbeing used as said handle,

3. A portable combination tool chest and work bench as defined in claim1 wherein said cover is formed from plywood, and a plywood frame isafiixed to one surface of said cover with said frame resting on saidupper edges of said side walls and said end pieces when said cover is ina position to close said chest, and two transverse strips of plywood areaflixed to the surface of said cover adjacent the ends of said frame,which strips thicken said cover and strengthen the end portions thereofto the extent that clamps, vises, and other tools can be removablyafiixed to said thickened ends when said cover, side walls and endpieces are being used as said work bench.

4. A portable combination tool chest and Work bench as defined in claim1 wherein said means for rotatably supporting said wheels comprises atransverse shaft that extends through laterally aligned openings formedin said side walls adjacent said upwardly and forwardly ex- 10 tendingedges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSSchreifier Oct. 9, 1906 Simonsen July 7, 1959

1. A PORTABLE COMBINATION TOOL CHEST AND WORK BENCH, INCLUDING: TWOLATERALLY SPACED SIDE WALLS HAVING TRANSVERSELY ALIGNED, ELONGATEOPENINGS FORMED IN THE LOWER PORTIONS THEREOF, SAID SIDE WALLS EACHHAVING A STRAIGHT UPPER EDGE, A REAR EDGE, A LOWER EDGE SHORTER THANSAID UPPER EDGE AND PARALLEL THERETO, A FORWARD EDGE SHORTER THAN SAIDREAR EDGE AND PARALLEL THERETO, AND AN UPWARDLY AND FORWARDLY INCLINEDEDGE THAT EXTENDS UPWARDLY FROM THE FORWARD END OF SAID LOWER EDGE TOEFFECT A JUNCTION WITH THE LOWER END OF SAID FORWARD EDGE; REAR ANDFORWARD END PIECES THAT EXTEND TRANSVERSELY BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS; AFIRST RIGID SHEET PARALLEL TO SAID UPPER EDGES AND DISPOSED WITHIN THECONFINES OF SAID SIDE WALLS AND END PIECES AND AFFIXED TO THE INTERIORSURFACES THEREOF ABOVE SAID OPENINGS, WHICH FIRST SHEET, END PIECES ANDSIDE WALLS COOPERATIVELY DEFINE A TOOL CHEST; A SECOND RIGID SHEETPARALLEL TO SAID FIRST SHEET AND SPACED BELOW SAID OPENINGS, SAID SECONDSHEET BEING SITUATED WITHIN THE CONFINES OF SAID SIDE WALLS AND REAR ENDPIECE AFFIXED TO THE INTERIOR SURFACES THEREOF, WHICH SECOND SHEETSERVES AS A TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR TOOLS WHEN NOT IN SAID CHEST; A RIGIDRECTANGULAR COVER WHICH IS LONGER THAN SAID SIDE WALLS AND SUFFICIENTLYWIDE TO EXTEND BETWEEN THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF SAID SIDE WALLS WHENRESTING ON SAID UPPER EDGES THEREOF AND THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID REAR ANDFORWARD END PIECES, SAID COVER HAVING END PORTIONS THAT OVERHANG SAIDREAR AND FORWARD END PIECES; HINGE MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING ONELONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID COVER TO ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS TO PERMIT SAIDCOVER TO BE PIVOTED INTO A POSITION WHERE